Reflexive 'Se' (Direct)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Reflexive verbs use 'se' to show the action reflects back on the subject, like 'I wash myself'.
- Use 'se' for reflexive actions: 'Já se myju' (I wash myself).
- The pronoun 'se' stays near the verb, usually in the second position.
- Some verbs are ALWAYS reflexive, like 'smát se' (to laugh).
Meanings
Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject of the sentence is also the object of the action.
Direct Reflexive
The subject performs an action on themselves.
“Já se myju.”
“Ona se obléká.”
Inherently Reflexive
Verbs that require 'se' to exist in the dictionary.
“Směju se.”
“Bojím se.”
Reciprocal
Two or more subjects doing something to each other.
“My se milujeme.”
“Oni se znají.”
Reflexive Verb Conjugation (mýt se)
| Person | Verb | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| Já | myju | se |
| Ty | myješ | se |
| On/Ona/Ono | myje | se |
| My | myjeme | se |
| Vy | myjete | se |
| Oni/Ony | myjí | se |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + se + Verb | Já se myju |
| Negative | Subject + se + ne + Verb | Já se nemyju |
| Question | Verb + se + Subject? | Myješ se? |
| Reciprocal | Subject + se + Verb | My se milujeme |
| Inherently Reflexive | Subject + se + Verb | Směju se |
| Past Tense | Subject + se + Verb (past) | Myje se -> Mylo se |
Formalitätsspektrum
Velmi dobře se bavím. (Social gathering)
Dobře se bavím. (Social gathering)
Bavím se. (Social gathering)
Bavím se. (Social gathering)
Reflexive Verb Map
Routine
- mýt se to wash oneself
Emotion
- smát se to laugh
Social
- znát se to know each other
Examples by Level
Já se myju.
I wash myself.
Ona se obléká.
She is getting dressed.
Směju se.
I am laughing.
Jak se máš?
How are you?
Petr se holí.
Petr is shaving.
My se díváme na televizi.
We are watching TV.
Bojím se pavouků.
I am afraid of spiders.
Oni se znají.
They know each other.
Koupil jsem si auto.
I bought myself a car.
Musím se rozhodnout.
I have to decide.
Všechno se změnilo.
Everything has changed.
Učíme se česky.
We are learning Czech.
Zde se prodávají lístky.
Tickets are sold here.
Často se o tom mluví.
It is often talked about.
Cítím se unavený.
I feel tired.
Dívají se na sebe.
They are looking at each other.
Podařilo se mi to udělat.
I managed to do it.
Nechce se mi jít ven.
I don't feel like going out.
Vše se vyjasnilo.
Everything became clear.
Ztratil se v lese.
He got lost in the forest.
Dalo by se říci, že...
One could say that...
Vše se v dobré obrátí.
Everything will turn out for the best.
Zabývá se tím problémem.
He is dealing with that problem.
Ocitl se v nesnázích.
He found himself in trouble.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up accusative 'se' and dative 'si'.
Learners forget 'se' for reflexive verbs.
Putting 'se' at the start of the sentence.
Häufige Fehler
Já myju.
Já se myju.
Se já myju.
Já se myju.
Já myju se.
Já se myju.
Já se myje.
Já se myju.
Myju?
Myješ se?
Oni se myjí.
Oni se myjí.
Já se nemyje.
Já se nemyju.
Koupil jsem se auto.
Koupil jsem si auto.
Dívám se na sebe.
Dívám se na sebe.
Směju na tebe.
Směju se na tebe.
To se stalo mi.
To se mi stalo.
Zde se mluví česky.
Zde se mluví česky.
On se ztratil v lese.
Ztratil se v lese.
Nechce se mi.
Nechce se mi.
Sentence Patterns
Já ___ se.
___ se máš?
My se ___.
___ se mi to podařilo.
Real World Usage
Bavím se na párty!
Jak se máš?
Zajímám se o tuto pozici.
Dívám se na památky.
Objednávám si jídlo.
Zde se uvádí, že...
Second Position
Don't skip it
Learn in pairs
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always add 'se' for personal actions.
Check if the verb is reflexive in the dictionary.
Keep 'se' with the verb.
Ask if it's for your own benefit.
Aussprache
Clitic placement
'Se' is unstressed and attaches to the verb.
Question intonation
Myješ se? ↗
Rising intonation for yes/no questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Se is like a mirror, reflecting the action back to the subject.
Visual Association
Imagine a person looking in a mirror and brushing their hair. The mirror is the 'se' particle.
Rhyme
When you do it to yourself, add 'se' to the shelf.
Story
Petr wakes up. He looks in the mirror. He washes himself (myje se). He laughs at himself (směje se). He gets dressed (obléká se).
Word Web
Herausforderung
Describe your morning routine in 5 sentences using reflexive verbs.
Kulturelle Hinweise
Reflexive verbs are used to express modesty and indirectness.
Reflexive pronouns in Slavic languages evolved from the Proto-Indo-European reflexive pronoun.
Conversation Starters
Jak se máš?
Co děláš ráno?
Znáte se dlouho?
Jak se cítíš v nové práci?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Já ___ myju.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Já myju.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I am laughing.
Answer starts with: Smě...
A: Jak se máš? B: ___.
Which is reflexive?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesJá ___ myju.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Já myju.
se / Já / myju
I am laughing.
A: Jak se máš? B: ___.
Which is reflexive?
Match 'laugh'.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
It is a reflexive pronoun used for actions done to oneself.
Usually in the second position of the sentence.
Only with reflexive verbs.
'Se' is accusative, 'si' is dative.
Yes, it stays with the verb.
It is essential for daily Czech.
Some verbs are always reflexive.
Use them in your daily routine descriptions.
In Other Languages
se
Spanish word order is more flexible.
se
French requires subject pronouns.
sich
German 'sich' changes based on the person.
jibun
Japanese is not a clitic-based language.
nafs
Arabic uses different morphological structures.
zìjǐ
Chinese lacks verb conjugation.
